Greek silversmith Sotirios Voulgaris arrived in Rome in 1881 and set up his own shop there in 1884, calling it Bulgari, an Italianization of his last name (in the brand's logo, it's styled BVLGARI, using the classical Latin alphabet in a nod to ancient Roman culture). In 1905, he opened the company’s flagship boutique on Rome’s Via dei Condotti. Since then, Bulgari has looked to Rome as a source of reference for its fanciful and decidedly romantic designs for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories.
Although the iconic jewelry house found success with its silverwork and Art Deco designs, popular through the 1920s, Bulgari’s signature style — bold, often using yellow gold embellished with big colorful gemstones — began to emerge when Sotirios’s sons inherited the business, in 1932.
The brand truly hit its stride in the dolce vita era of the 1950s and ’60s, when the founder’s grandsons Paolo, Gianni and Nicola Bulgari decisively departed from demure traditional styles to develop the house’s exuberant multi-gem looks, attracting celebrity collectors like Elizabeth Taylor.
In the 1940s, Bulgari debuted perhaps its most famous design, the Serpenti bracelet watch. The piece’s snakelike coils were made possible by the tubogas jewelry technique, which links a flexible series of thin horizontal bands. Both the sleek, modern tubogas construction and the sinuous snake motif continue to be synonymous with the Bulgari brand.
On 1stDibs, the collection of vintage Bulgari jewelry includes rings, pendant necklaces, watches and other accessories.
Bvlgari Serpenti Seduttori 18K Rose Gold Diamond and Tourmaline Ring BV41-012826
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
Rendered in 18K rose gold, this signed and hallmarked Serpenti Seduttori ring evokes the hypnotic character long associated with the serpent. The asymmetrical band forms a drop-shape...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage Bulgari Serpenti Rubelite and Diamond Ring in Rose Gold
By Bulgari
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage Bulgari Serpenti diamond ring set in 18k rose gold.
The ring is composed of a coiling serpent design, set with a vibrant rubellite and accented with...
Diamond, Rubelite, Other, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti L 18K Rose Gold Diamond Tubogas Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
An iconic expression of Bvlgari’s legendary design language, this Serpenti Tubogas ring is crafted in 18K rose gold and accented with diamonds for added brilliance and sensual elegan...
Diamond, Rose Gold
Bvlgari 18K Rose Gold Serpenti Ring 0.59ct Round F VS Diamonds & 0.2ct Rubellite
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Designer: BVLGARI Detailed Description: Embrace the allure of the Bvlgari Serpenti ring, crafted in 18 Karat rose gold. Featuring 0.59 carats of F color, VS clarity round brilliant d...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
BULGARI Serpenti Viper Ruby Full Pave Diamond Rose Gold 3-Row Medium Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent 3-row ring from Bulgari's alluring Serpenti collection is crafted in 18k rose gold and fully pave-set with 122 round brilliant-cut E-F-G VVS1-VVS2 diamonds of an est...
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Ring, 18kt Rose Gold, Pavé Diamonds, Italy
By Bulgari
Located in Chicago, IL
This Bvlgari Serpenti Viper ring in 18kt rose gold with full pavé diamonds coils sensually around the finger, summoning the power and mystique of a venomous snake. Serpenti Viper on...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Snake Diamond Rose Gold Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
A captivating expression of Bulgari’s iconic design heritage, this Serpenti Viper Band Ring is exquisitely crafted in 18K rose gold and showcases the Maison’s legendary serpent motif...
Diamond, Rose Gold
BULGARI Serpenti Viper Diamond 18k Rose Gold 3-Row Sm. Ring. COA, Box.
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous Bvlgari Serpenti ring features a 3-row viper design crafted in 18k rose gold and set with 68 round brilliant-cut E-F VVS1-VVS2 diamonds weighing an estimated 1.13 carat...
Diamond, Rose Gold
Bulgari Serpenti Viper One-Coil Ring With Pave Diamonds On Head 18K Rose Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Aventura, FL
Serpenti Viper one-coil 18 kt rose gold ring set with pavé diamonds on the head. With its signature blend of pure aesthetics, enveloping shapes and charismatic flair, the Serpenti Vi...
Diamond, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper One Coil Diamond & MOP Ring 18K Rose Gold 0.90Ctw 1.35Ctw
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This captivating and beautifully designed ring from Bvlgari sensually coils around the finger, combining the beauty of precious scales with the sinuosity of a snake. It's crafted in ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
BVLGARI Roma Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Gold With 4.18 Cwt In Diamonds & Coral
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
Cocktail ring designed by Bvlgari. This is a beautiful and rare cocktail ring created in Roma Italy by the jewelry house of Bvlgari , back in the late 1970's. This colorful cocktail...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
BOUCHERON Paris Clover Ring In 18Kt Gold With 1.94 Ctw In Diamonds & Rubies
By Boucheron
Located in Miami, FL
Modernist clover cocktail ring designed by Boucheron. This is a beautiful clover-motif ring created in France by the iconic Parisian jewelry house of Boucheron. The cocktail ring wa...
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
BVLGARI Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Gold With 4.74 Ctw In Diamonds And Sapphire
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
A cocktail ring designed by Bvlgari. An extraordinary cocktail ring, created in Rome Italy by the jewelry house of Bvlgari. This ring has been crafted in solid white gold of 18 kara...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
BVLGARI Modernist Cocktail Ring In 18Kt White Gold With 4.16 Ctw VS Diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
A diamonds cocktail ring designed by Bvlgari. This is a beautiful cocktail ring-band created in Italy by the iconic jewelry house of Bvlgari, back in the 2000. The gorgeous ring has...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
CARTIER Paris Maillon Panthère Cocktail Ring In 18Kts Gold With 2.65 Cwt Diamond
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
A Maillon Panthère ring with diamonds designed by Cartier. This is a magnificent vintage cocktail ring created in Paris by the legendary French jewelry house of Cartier during the l...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
OSCAR HEYMAN Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Gold With 2.64 Ctw In Diamonds And Rubies
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Miami, FL
Cocktail ring designed by the Oscar Heyman Brothers. Beautiful cocktail ring, created in New York city by the iconic jewelry makers of Oscar Heyman Company. This rare ring has been ...
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Jewelry historian Vanessa Cron combed 1stDibs and selected some dazzling pieces with timeless appeal.
From Elizabeth Taylor to Zendaya, the Serpenti has been the accessory of choice for generations of it girls.
